It is good to introduce the map feature again after being away from my laptop for a few days. I would hate to think you were feeling as lost and disoriented as I was at times. And of course, if you purchased the special edition my map of Europe to put on your wall, together with the “Del Was Here” pins, you have a lot of catching up to do.
I set off from my luxurious hotel around 10.00 hrs to trudge along a dirt road leading to the outskirts of town. I found myself in quite a rural setting, with sheep and cattle wandering around and their friendly herders close by. I think I stopped to take a photo of a road sign that had my name on (Derekizik) – the print is currently elsewhere, but maybe later in this series of posts I will create a Big Trip Gallery. Something to look forward to – maybe.
I picked up a lift with two blokes who took me as far as Inegol. One of them was quite loud and jovial – he reminded me of Eddie Cartwright, owner of a grocery store in Maresfield, Sussex. I worked in that store as a holiday job when I was in my early teens, so no wonder I related to poor Granville in Open All Hours – Arkwright/Cartwright, a close match! (In name and nature).
Inegol presented me with the usual problems of trying to get out of town. I walked through narrow streets and up steep steps only to find I was on the wrong road. Quick re-trace of steps to get onto the right road.
There were cars tooting me, people shouting “Are you English?”, “What’s your name?” and lots of things in Turkish – goodness knows what they could have been! Mind you, I must have been quite a conspicuous sight – skinny, laden with heavy backpack, long haired, beginnings of a beard, and unkempt. I had novelty value…
A workman beckoned me to join him sitting in the shade. Certainly a welcome break. Within a short while, we were joined by about 20 other workmen and various women and children gathered round. They shared fruit juice, cheese flan and cake with me.
I got back on the road after this lovely interlude and picked up a lift around 16.45 hrs. This turned out to be a long drive with a man who appeared to be quite nervous – he sat on the edge of his seat and seemed to be obsessed with turning his lights on and off. Very few words were spoken, but he was probably pleased with the company. We headed towards Ankara and stopped for a little doze about 75 km from the capital. After we set off again I must have drifted asleep – I was wondering why it was taking so long to reach Ankara when I realised we had already passed it.
The ride ended at a junction around 05.00 hrs. We shook hands and bid farewell. I set out on the road to Konya. I walked for half an hour, then sat in the early morning sun for half an hour, idly throwing stones into pools that were part of the surrounding marshes.
I picked up a lift in a truck that took me as far as Konya, arriving around 08.15 hrs. I found a cafe and then booked into a cheap hotel (Otel Yazim).
Bit of a dump, but it’s somewhere to wash, crash down and leave my baggage.
Day 27 has become Day 28, such is the nature of time, never a day with two sunrises. I covered more than 550 km between leaving Yalova and arriving in Konya. Tomorrow’s post will focus on the rest of my time in Konya. Will it be eventful?
Taster – whirling Dervishes, tea and oranges redolent of Suzanne, and tombs.
Psychologist on the Move 